So what exactly is the Padfone? The PadFone comes with an optional PadFone Station, a 10.1-inch tablet dock that allows the phone to be transformed into a tablet with 5 times the battery capacity. The smartphone, while highly mobile in nature, is inadequate in certain scenarios due to its small screen size - one of the reasons why users turn to tablets when the situation calls for it and why some users are owners of both devices.

This is naturally where the PadFone comes in, aiming to offer seamless transition between phone and the tablet form factor, with users relying on just one SIM card for two devices. No wait, the ASUS ambition doesn't stop there: with the optional Keyboard dock, users get the third option of using the device as a netbook. Will the PadFone and its bevy of accessories be the one-stop solution?

While the concept itself isn't exactly new - Motorola did it with its Atrix smartphone and Lapdock accessory -, ASUS' concentrated efforts in providing a seamless experience via the PadFone look set to be more concrete and all-compassing in nature. With mobile phones getting more powerful, it is definitely an exciting trend that other manufacturers should and might consider. If all these information is over your head and confusing, take a quick look at the official ASUS PadFone for a better idea of what the device is looking to offer:

Key highlights of the ASUS PadFone

Android ICS 4.0

4.3-inch Super AMOLED Display / qHD (960 x 540) resolution

1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor

1 GB RAM / 16GB, 32GB or 64GB internal memory

8-megapixel camera / f2.2 lens/ Auto-focus / LED flash

1520 mAh battery

129g

128 x 65.4 x 9.2 mm

Availability: April, LTE model targeted for early Q3 2012 release

ASUS PadFone Station, Keyboard Dock and Stylus Headset

The ASUS PadFone Station comes with a 10.1-inch, 1280 x 800 resolution display, a 24.4 watt-hr battery and SonicMaster speakers. Physique-wise, the accessory measures at 273 x 176 x 13mm and weighs at 724g. For the devices to work properly, the ASUS’ proprietary Dynamic Display technology allows seamless transition between the PadFone and PadFone Station display screens.